Reviewing modern and classic pulp novels and anthologies. Hard copies only, we do not review digital books or files.

Monday, September 29, 2014

DNA

DNA

By Raven Bourne

Self-Published

Available at Amazon.com

405 pages

Long ago, after Star Trek had become a huge media success,
the book world jumped on the profit-bandwagon and we were suddenly flooded with
new Trek novels written by multitudes of recognized sci-fi authors and
eventually others by amateurs entering the field.Always intrigued by how others viewed
characters we enjoyed, we picked up lots of these and for the most part those
by veteran sci-fi scribes were enjoyable while others were outright
entertaining.Then one day we picked up
one particular paperback written by two ladies and within the first two
chapters had to put it down as the tale was so steeped in juvenile
romanticisms, it was as if someone had turned a classic space opera series into
a Harlequin Romance.

Which was when we realized that there are writers,
regardless of their skills or life experiences, unable to disguise their
respective genders in telling a story.We are not saying that is a bad thing, only that it is a recognizable
facet among some writers.Case in point,
had we not known Raven Bourne’s gender before digging into her book, we would
have easily identified it as having been penned by a woman within the first few
chapters.How so?Because there is unavoidable romantic fantasy
lens that shades every single aspect of this novel from plot to pacing and
characterization.This is clearly a
female perspective and it is so pervasive, we doubt many of our pulp
action-loving readers would be able to honestly appreciate it.

With that disclaimer out of the way, let’s look at what this
DNA is all about.Dr. Raen McNeil, a
beautiful, sensitive genetic biologist, uncovers a secret relating to the
evolution of mankind.In fact this
revelation argues against the accepted principles of known science and hints at
alien manipulation.What if mankind’s
tendencies towards violence and all the baser, savage instincts were never
suppose to be the norm?What if a
particular genetic code was purposely excluded from our ancestors locking us
into a fate of perpetual destruction?

No sooner does Raen uncover this missing gene then she is
abducted by a humanoid alien who believes she is his intended soulmate.Meanwhile a major pharmaceutical company
hires private eye, Jacob Fourth, to find her.Jacob is a no-nonsense pragmatic character with an ego to match.His search for Raen, although interesting in
the locales it takes him, is the book’s weakest section and could easily have
been shortened.Once Jacob finds Raen
and her alien-lover, both of them are whisked away way on a starship and sent
on an amazing journey at the heart of which lies either the salvation of
mankind or its demise.Bourne’s aliens
are fun as well as fascinating and it is their interaction with Raen and Jacob
that is most rewarding. Whereas most space opera sagas are filled with
ray-blasters, starship encounters and hostile environments, DNA is more a
fantasy forum to explore religion and philosophy and their relevance to the
human condition.In the end, DNA puts
forth some interesting theories and examines who we are as race while
suggesting a peaceful future as a genuine alternate path…if we are wise enough
to choose it.

We hope to see more from Ms. Bourne but humbly suggest her
next project be leaner and less ambitious allowing her to improve her skills
while trimming the extraneous fat.The
shorter lessons are usually the ones we remember best.